It was one of those perfect evenings at the Rotary Clubhouse that makes me proud to be a member of the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club. As President Bruce said, the sign of a good Rotary Club is an active Interact Club. We are a very successful Rotary Club, and our BRHS Interact club is outstanding!

Interact members were out in force, serving us a delicious spaghetti dinner with several sauce options. The line was out the door when I arrived, and notable guests in the audience – in addition to proud parents and Rotarians – included Dr. Tricia Campbell, principal of the high school. The final headcount, including the Interact club members, was over 100.

All this spaghetti was to benefit two local scholarship organizations selected by the Interactors. The first, our Student Aid Fund, has been around since 1964 and in the past eight years alone has given close to $3 million in grants (not loans) to budding students. Anyone who is a graduate from BRHS is eligible to apply and can receive funds for up to six years. The grants are based on “unmet needs” and scholarship recipients include both recent grads and back-to-school students. For more, check out www.brasf.org

The second program, Education Boothbay, is less well known. It provides funds for our current students, and makes it possible for teachers to procure things not in the budget. For example, Education Boothbay funded the purchase of a high-end CNC router, 3D printers, and other equipment for the high school STEAM classes. Also, in the works is a request for a book vending machine for the elementary school that dispenses books instead of candy! It’s a fun way to inspire young readers. www.educationboothbay.com

It’s the Interact students who decided to donate the proceeds of the evening to these two scholarship funds. Way to go, Interact! Thanks to you, over $1,100.00 was raised and donated!

After dinner, the Interact seniors introduced themselves:

Rachel Barter, class valedictorian and Interact Club vice-president, is leaning toward Providence College where she wants to combine her math and music skills.

Ryan Davis, Interact Club president, hasn’t committed to any specific school, but he knows that engineering – either civil or electrical – is in his future.

Grace Campbell, the class salutatorian and head of the Interact social committee, is headed to Bowdoin and a major in history.

Veda Harriman is off to the University of Maine Orono and a career in nursing.

Savannah Compare is headed to University of Southern Maine Gorham, where she plans to enroll in a program that combines athletics and management.

Interact, we couldn’t be more proud of you!

Interested in joining us? Rotary is always looking for new members who share our passion for the Boothbay Region and are eager to give back in myriad ways. We meet every Thursday evening for camaraderie and dinner at the Rotary Clubhouse, 66 Montgomery Avenue, Boothbay Harbor. And don’t forget to come to the Rotary Barn, also at 66 Montgomery, every Saturday morning from 8:30 to 11:00 am for deals and steals. We’ve got everything from boats to collectibles to tools. Be there!